Container cap holder



Nov. 11, 1941. F. c. SHEARING CONTAINER CAP HOLDER Filed April 22, 1940 ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES "PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER CAP HOLDER Francis C. Shearing, Burlingame, Calif.

Application April 22, 1940, Serial No. 330,824

3 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in a container cap holder, and it consists of the combinations, constructions and arrangements hereinafter described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a container cap holder that may be applied to the neck of a container and to a cap for permitting the latter to be freely screwed into place or removed, while preventing the cap from accidentally becoming lost when the cap is removed. The device holds the cap in a plane paralleling the plane of the container opening and permits the cap to be swung toward or away from the opening about a fixed pivot point. A coil spring forms a part of the pivotal support, and this spring performs the additional function of yieldingly holding the cap in open position. This will prevent the cap from prematurely swinging around by gravity and covering the container while the contents are being delivered therefrom.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described that is simple in construction, durable and eflicient for the purpose intended.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds, and the novel features of my invention will be particularly set forth in the claims hereunto appended.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device showing it as being operatively applied to a container and cap, the neck of the container being shown in section for the purpose of clarity;

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken through the container, cap and device, portions being illustrated in elevation; and

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the device.

While I have shown only the preferred form of my invention, it should be understood that Various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In carrying out my invention, I make use of a container A having a neck I with an outwardlyextending flange 2. The neck is exteriorly threaded at 3 for receiving a cap B. The cap has a flanged top 4 and a skirt with a flange at 5. The cap is interiorly threaded to receive the threaded portion of the neck. The parts thus far described form no part of my invention, except insofar as they cooperate with the parts now to be described.

Figure 3. The device consists of two parts, each being constructed from wire. The part C has a loop 6 that is adapted to encircle the container neck, and a coil spring 1, which is integral with the loop and spaced therefrom a slight distance by an intermediate extension 8. The axis of the coil spring parallels the axis of the loop.

The coil spring 1 acts as a pivotal support for the part C of the device, which is also constructed from a single piece of wire. The part C has a shank 9 rotatably mounted in the spring I, the latter acting as a pivotal support for the shank. The shank carries a cap-engaging loop II] that is separated from the shank by an intermediate portion II and a shoulder I2. The loop engages with the skirt of the cap and is held against slipping off by the flanges 4 and 5. The coil spring 1 bears against the shoulder l2 and against the turned end 9a of the shank. In this way the parts C and C may be swung with respect to each other, the shank and spring acting as a pivot, the spring performing the additional function of holding the parts in adjusted position.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood. The loop 6 encircles the container neck under the flange and the loop l0 extends around the cap skirt. If desired, the loop 6 may be held against rotation on the neck by a projection la on the neck, see Figure 1, being received in a recess 6a formed in the loop.

Assume that the cap closes the tube and it is desired to remove the cap. Figure 2 discloses the manner in which the cap will slide longitudinally in the loop II] when the cap is unscrewed from the neck. When the cap reaches the broken line position shown in this view, it will be free from the container neck. The part C and cap may now be swung into the position shown in Figure 1. The coil spring permits this movement and will frictionally hold the cap in the position into which it has been moved. The container may now have some of its contents dispensed.

If powder is held in the container, a shaking action of the container will be sufficient to remove some of the contents. On the other hand, if a collapsible tube constitutes the container, a pressure on the tube wall will force some of the contents therefrom. During the use of the container, the device prevents the cap from prematurely closing the container opening. After use. the cap may be swung back into a position overlying the container neck and then screwed into The cap holder is indicated generally at C in place.

I claim:

1. The combination with a container having a neck with a flange, and a cap having flanges at each end, of a cap holder having a loop receivable around the neck and under the neck flange, a second loop slidable on the cap, and means pivotally connecting the loops together, said means comprising a coil spring carried by one loop and extending at right angles to the plane of the loop, and. a shank carried by the other loop and being rotatably received in the spring, said spring exerting sufiicient friction to hold the loops in any relative position into which they have been swung.

2. The combination with a container having a neck and a cap removably secured to the neck, of a cap holder having one part secured to the container and carrying an integral coil spring whose axis parallels the neck axis, a second part secured to the cap and having an integral shank rotatring for encircling a container cap, and a shank integral with and extending at right angles to the ring, said shank being rotatably received in the coil spring, the coil spring performing the double function of pivotally supporting the shank and frictionally holding the shank and ring in the position into which they have been swung.

- FRANCIS G. SHEARING. 

